A record-breaking 155 women of all ages showed up to ride for free at Ray’s sixth annual ladies-only event, which was sponsored by TriFlow Lubricants and hosted by 1995 World Downhill Champion Leigh Donovan. “I never thought I’d enjoy riding my bike more at age 40 than I ever have before,” she said to the crowd, before dividing the riders into smaller groups based on (self-reported) ability. Guys weren’t allowed in until 4 p.m., but many tried to sneak in earlier. “They asked, ‘Can’t I just watch?’” said park manager Eric Schutt. Nice try, boys.

The original Ray’s opened in Cleveland in 2004; the 110,000-square-foot Milwaukee location, which is housed in a former hardware store, is two years old. Features include a one-third mile XC loop with rolling hills and obstacles; skills-practice areas for novice, beginning, intermediate, and expert riders; a pump track; a skate park; and a foam pit—in addition to a public workstand and a rider lounge, complete with fireplaces.

“The part I like best is the remodeling,” says founder Ray Petro, a home renovator by trade. Each summer he redesigns parts of each park to keep the experience fresh and challenging for riders. Here, he browses through next year’s plans on his iPad. He’s also scouting locations for a third park, “somewhere on the East Coast.”

Donovan spent most of the morning helping participants tackle the intermediate features in the Sport section. “I want you to get over obstacles with skill, not by muscling it,” she told the group. This means learning to stay balanced as you shift your body weight, and assuming a “power position”—wrists rotated forward, elbows up and out—that gives you a wider, more stable stance. As riders took turns working their way through the loop, over and over again, cheers and applause rang through the building—along with the occasional shriek: “I DID IT!”

If your bike has 24-inch wheels or larger (Petro says he had to draw the line at balance bikes), it’s welcome at Ray’s—even if it has a kickstand and streamers. If you can’t handle the park’s easiest route—an obstacle-free loop on flat cement—the park will refund your money. Optional features on every trail encourage riders to build their own lines—and gradually push their limits.

Jacke Van Woerkom, founder and leader of one of the country’s biggest women’s bike clubs, the Trail Angels, guides a rider on the XC loop. She managed to work in some air time, too, including a trip off the ramp into the foam pit. “I’m always pushing my group back home to challenge themselves,” said the SoCal grandmom—after posting video of the stunt to Facebook.

Coach Lindsey Voreis (left), an elite racer, mountain-bike tour guide and former Survivor: Africa contestant, helps manage the Specialized AllRide Academy team founded and run by her husband, Kirt Voreis. They sponsor up-and-coming riders such as five-time national junior champion Cierra Smith (right). “I believe in skills before balls,” Voreis explained as she helped participants master the berms on Ray’s pump track. Anyone who rides with these two ladies will soon discover that they’ve got both.

Among the riders attending Women’s Weekend with their bike clubs were 48 members of the Midwest Dirt Divas, a group comprised of women from six Midwest cycling organizations who connected online. Many of the riders (pictured here in pink shirts) were meeting in person for the first time in Milwaukee, where the indoor setup nicely accommodates groups of varying abilities who might easily get separated on the trail. “Here, you’re never more than 430 feet from each other,” says Petro.

Riders relaxed in the lounge with laid-back tunes and chilly beverages as Donovan and her team of coaches raffled off a seemingly endless supply of prizes from TriFlow, Troy Lee Designs, Sierra Nevada, and other sponsors.

In spite of the half-price admission extended to women on Saturday and Sunday, the crowd at Ray’s was predominantly male. But that might change with the next generation, if this third-grade girl’s essay (on display at the park) is any indication:

“I had a special day with my family. We went to Ray’s. A indoor biking place…you have to go over logs and the wood on your bike. It is hard but it is awesome there…we go there on weekends. You should go there. Come on let’s get started but be good don’t fall there.”

Well said, Kaylee. We hope to see you schooling the field at Women’s Weekend 2020.

Please enter your email or turn off your ad blocker to access all content on

Signing Out...

Are you sure you want to log out?

If you are the only person using this device,
there’s no need to log out. Just exit this page
and you won’t have to sign in again. But if
you’re on a public or shared computer, log out
to keep your account secure.